Talk about possible occupancy tax increase to help FRP . . . again?

For those with short memories, July, 2012, saw heated discussion by the Henderson County commissioners, lodge owners, and citizens about the idea of increasing the occupancy tax by one percent, and designating that increase to the Flat Rock Playhouse. In August, 2012, the county commissioners tabled the idea of increasing the tax at that time and said they would revisit the idea in six months. In February, 2013 (six months later), the Flat Rock Playhouse asked the county commissioners to drop the idea of a tax increase, opting instead to concentrate on a new "Stay & Play" partnership with the Tourism Development Authority (TDA).

Now, as part of the agreement between the county commissioners and the TDA (from the Times-News):

TDA Chairman Shannon Clarke told his board Tuesday that county leaders have agreed to grant the TDA full discretion over spending of room tax revenues — including half a percent currently funneled to the museum — in return for a capped $80,000 to $100,000 annual lease on the county-owned Visitor Center building. . .

Moreover, Clarke said [Henderson County] commissioners have agreed to allow the TDA control over spending an additional 1 percent of occupancy tax allowed by state law but not levied yet. Only commissioners can increase or decrease the occupancy tax, he said, but “they will not do it without our request.”

“Now, if we’re seeing that we’re not creating enough revenue to compete with counties around us, then we’d also make a request for them to increase it by a half or 1 percent,” Clarke said.

He suggested possible beneficiaries of extra room tax proceeds, including a wayfinding (signage) program and the Flat Rock Playhouse. In September, TDA board members rejected a proposal to renew a $25,000 “Stay and Play” program involving the purchase of Playhouse tickets, which were distributed to accommodations as lodging incentives.

On Tuesday, Clarke proposed another way for the TDA to support the Playhouse, which he said draws many visitors to the county but has lost several hundred thousand dollars in local governmental support this year. He suggested the TDA become a “season sponsor” for Playhouse productions, valued at $25,000 but subject to negotiation. . .

But board member Brenda Ramer questioned why the theater has not provided the TDA with “any kind of strategic plan, in how they’re going to fix their own issues other than to keep asking for money in different ways.”. . .

The Playhouse funding issue was tabled until the board could digest the results of a tourism study they were getting from consultant Young Strategies Inc. That study shows the Playhouse ranked seventh in “visitor attractions” among 1,350 survey respondents, behind Main Street shopping, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Carl Sandburg Home and Chimney Rock State Park, among others.

Read it all. And more on the consultant's study is here.

Dean’s Deli in Flat Rock has new owners

This time, a story in the Times-News about the new owners of Dean's Deli:

Shannon Zlacki said that as soon as she saw the deli and other shops on Rainbow Row near the Flat Rock Playhouse, “We thought, ‘Oh my gosh! This is the cutest, quaintest little town. If we were on vacation we would definitely come to Flat Rock. We enjoy kayaking and biking. The mountains are beautiful and the people here are so friendly.”

On Nov. 1, Shannon Zlacki’s birthday, [Dustin and Shannon] sold their home in Pittsburgh and bought Dean’s.

The Deans have spent the week training the Zlackis on the ins and outs of running the business. Kathy Dean has also been sharing family recipes for the deli’s most popular sandwiches. They include “The Big Mamma,” a turkey and bacon sandwich; “Kathy’s Club,” which includes ham, cheese, turkey and bacon; and “Ed’s Big Mouth,” which is named after Kathy Dean’s father and includes provolone cheese, ham and lots of salami. . .

Dustin Zlacki said that for now, not much will change, but the couple are considering a few options. . .

Read it all. An earlier post on the new owners is here.

Flat Rock taking possession of park land Friday

Just as an FYI--while Flat Rock takes possession of the park on Friday (November 15), the park will not be open to the public for walking until sometime in mid-December. From the Hendersonville Lightning:

One day before the Flat Rock takes possession of its new 67-acre park land, the Village Council decided that it needed to hold a workshop to order priorities for park development.

The council has been talking about acquiring the former Highland Lake Golf Club property for 14 months. It closed on the $1.1 million purchase in July and allocated $832,000 last spring for park development in the current budget year. It adopted a master plan for development and set out a phase 1 of improvements. Part of that seem to unravel Thursday when council members debated what exactly should happen first. Before the council started discussing plans for the 67 acres along Highland Lake Road, CPA Carl Shaw suggested that the council segregate park spending in a capital project ordinance. . .

[Vice Mayor Nick] Weedman's comments drew the council into a few minutes of friction, a rarity in Flat Rock, where political accord and smooth operations are the usual order. Weedman suggested that the council still needed to set its priorities. Mayor Bob Staton and Councilman Dave Bucher countered that the council had already done that. It adopted a master plan in a special meeting earlier this month and decided that the first phase would include a new entrance, a perimeter walking trail and restroom and pavilion. Weedman said he is not sure a new entrance, reconfigured parking lot or lighting are needed. The village might be better off, he said, waiting to see how much the park is used. . .

Read it all.

Little River Road will reopen Friday, DOT says

From the Hendersonville Lightning:

The new bridge over Mud Creek is expected to open by Friday night (Nov. 15), the DOT says, opening up the 4-mile length of heavily traveled Little River Road for the first time since March.

A contractor was finishing up roadway paving on the new bridge on Little River Road in Flat Rock this week. The DOT's website projects that the bridge will open by 7 p.m. Friday. The DOT had made opening projections of Oct. 1 and Oct. 15. . .

Read it all.

New owners for Dean's Deli

From the Hendersonville Lightning:

Like Kathy and Richard Dean before them, Shannon and Dustin Zlacki decided to uproot from home, buy a business in little Flat Rock, N.C., and work side by side long hours six days a week.

The difference is the Zlackis don't have to build the business from the ground up. The couple has bought Dean's Market and Deli from the proprietors who made it what is today — a popular hangout for retirees and a few working folks and a place to grab a homemade biscuit, cup of soup or sandwich. It's the leading food market in the Village of Flat Rock. Well, it's the only food market in Flat Rock. "We were looking for a change," Shannon Zlacki said. . .

Shannon says she plans to keep the same menu. Kathy Dean is sharing recipes, and both Deans are staying on to train the new owners and introduce them to regular customers for the next two weeks. Shannon promises a few Pittsburgh specialties, including chopped ham barbecue and French fries on sandwiches. . .

Read it all.

Fall falling. . .

I didn't think the leaves were as pretty this year as last. All the yellows were brown(ish), but some of the reds were very nice. Just a few from last week on the Japanese maple next door. . .all gone now. . .

GOP chair Andrew Riddle to challenge Mike Edney for county commissioner

From the Hendersonville Lightning:

Henderson County Republican Party chair Andrew Riddle plans to run against Michael Edney next year for the District 1 seat on the Board of Commissioners.

"I'm going to have three issues to my platform, which I'm still finalizing," he said. "I'm definitely going to run against Mike Edney."

A building contractor, Riddle, 37, lives in Flat Rock Forest. He and his wife, Denise, have four young daughters. . .

Read it all. Mike Edney currently represents District 1, which includes Flat Rock. You may remember his comments at the December 5, 2011, county commissioners meeting when the final vote was taken to terminate the county's option on the Highland Lake Golf Club/soccer complex deal. As I wrote then (Mr. Edney's exact words in quotes):

Mike Edney: Considered Flat Rock’s response somewhat “shameful” and that people say those in Flat Rock “get lost once they get past Fresh Market” (they're not interested in being part of Henderson County)

Know the ten rules of land use

I saw this in the Henderson County Planning Department and thought it was clever, so enjoy!

Know the Ten Rules of Land Use

These ten truisms are offered by the Staff of the Henderson County Planning Department to anyone considering buying land in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

1. Never assume that undeveloped land in your neighborhood will always remain so. Unless you own it, count on something else being built there. 
2. Water runs down hill. Unless you live at the top, you will probably experience stormwater runoff problems.
3. The winter sun rises low in the sky. If you must live on the side of a mountain, always choose the south side. 
4. Not all land is zoned. If property near you is not zoned, then think of the most obnoxious use conceivable and picture it in your community.
5. If you are not native to this county, whatever attracted you here will likely attract others. This phenomenon is known as growth.
6. Land values are driven by supply and demand. Taxes are based on land value. These things change.
7. There are significant difference between public and private roads. If you must live on a private road, be prepared to pay for it. 
8. Wells and septic tanks tend to fail. Make no mistake about this.
9. If your land is so located that it is safe from annexation or incorporation, it is probably a prime candidate for a landfill, prison, utility tower, quarry or reservoir.
10. In land use issues, the common good usually prevails. Never assume that you know what the common good is.